Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson fires a ‘joke’ F-bomb at the US

Boris Johnson found himself in hot water last night after saying “Fuck the Americans” when Rishi Sunak was told he had to compromise on a new Northern Ireland deal to strengthen ties with the US.

The former prime minister swore last week, dismissing claims that Mr Sunak had to revise the post-Brexit protocol arrangements to win the favor of pro-Irish US President Joe Biden.

A source close to Mr Johnson admitted he had used the words in an exchange with former Tory Cabinet Secretary and Remain campaigner Sir Robert Buckland, but insisted it was “joking” and had been “misunderstood”. . Sir Robert, Justice Secretary in Mr Johnson’s cabinet, described it as a “warm exchange”.

Labor said last night it was “no hoax for the Americans who are our closest allies” and Northern Ireland’s shadow minister Peter Kyle added: “It’s no hoax for the people of Northern Ireland who are desperate for a new deal.”

Mr Johnson, who agreed to the original protocol deal for Northern Ireland, is leading the fight to prevent Mr Sunak from giving Brussels too much ground to resolve the province’s post-Brexit status.

Last week Mr Johnson insisted the “best way forward” is to allow the UK to end EU controls on goods sent to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

The former prime minister swore last week, dismissing claims that Mr Sunak had to revise the post-Brexit protocol arrangements to win the favor of pro-Irish US President Joe Biden

Labor last night said it was “no hoax for Americans who are our closest allies”, and Northern Ireland’s shadow minister Peter Kyle (pictured) added: ‘It’s no hoax for the people of Northern Ireland who are desperate for a new one Find deal Done.’

Four years ago, Mr Johnson refused to deny claims he said “f*** business” when warned of business fears over the terms of Britain’s exit from the EU.

Last week, speaking privately in the House of Commons, Sir Robert’s ex-PM was told that a new deal would promote good relations with Washington and raise hopes of a trade deal with the US.

Mr Johnson, himself a New York native, made it clear that this was not a US matter by replying: “F**k the Americans!”

The blunt response came despite fears that Mr Biden, who is proud of his Irish roots, could cancel an expected state visit to the UK in April if no deal is reached on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

But last night a source close to Mr Johnson said: “This was a joking conversation in the Chamber with Robert Buckland which someone obviously misunderstood.”

Mr Johnson, who agreed to the original Protocol deal for Northern Ireland, is leading the fight to stop Mr Sunak (pictured) from giving Brussels too much ground to resolve the province’s post-Brexit status

Sir Robert, Justice Secretary in Mr Johnson’s cabinet, also insisted it was a “cordial exchange” and that both men wanted progress on Northern Ireland, even if they differed on how to do it.

The former Justice Secretary said last week that Mr Johnson’s Protocol Bill has outlived its usefulness.